News Releases

List of Most LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities Includes Ithaca College

ITHACA, NY—Campus Pride has once again included Ithaca College on its list of the top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges and universities in the country. Campus Pride is a national nonprofit organization that works to create a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.

Ithaca College earned five stars — the highest possible rating — on the Campus Pride Index. The index is a national benchmarking tool provided to colleges and universities by Campus Pride, which self-assesses LGBT-friendly policies, programs and practices.

“Congratulations to the top 25 and all 380+ campuses on the Campus Pride Index for coming out for LGBT students,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “Many more campuses today want to be called LGBT-friendly, but only those who participate in the Campus Pride Index know what policies, programs and practices are important to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.”

The list was released by Campus Pride in conjunction with The Huffington Post. Other institutions among the top 25 include Princeton University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan and Oberlin College.

“When we talk about the important work of fostering the academic success of our students, one of the elements of that success is about the learning environment itself,” noted Luca Maurer, program director of the Ithaca College Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services. “Our work to create systems, policies and procedures that result in welcoming and affirming classrooms, student organizations, processes and services exemplifies a campus-wide commitment to meeting the needs of our LGBT students. Ithaca College’s rating reflects the exceptional commitment and contributions of students, staff, faculty and alumni who together have created a campus community that honors and values sexual and gender diversity and inclusion.”